Reviewed: Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

Mobile phones have rocked built-in snappers for ages now, but few have come close enough to blur the lines between the two. The Nokia 808 PureView was a strong contender, but even that chunk of 41-megapixel-packing gadgety goodness can’t boast what the Galaxy S4 Zoom brings. It’s not as if it hasn’t been done before (you might recall the Nokia N93), but 10x optical zoom in a smartphone? Both Samsung and Nikon have given us a taste of snappers powered by Android, but this goes a step further. A two-faced gadget if there ever was one, the union was not entirely harmonious…

The marriage
See it from one side and it’s a smartphone, but flip it around and you’re looking at full-fledged compact camera complete with a xenon flash and a protruding barrel that hides the retractable 10x zoom lens. The chunky gadget is smooth and pebble-esque, and features a full-sized, two-step shutter release key on the side, a tripod mount, a microSD slot covered by a flap, and another flap that hides the removable battery and microSIM slot. However, there’s no lever for the zoom, and you need to twist a ring around the lens barrel or use onscreen buttons to work it. The design isn’t groundbreaking – it looks like a typical compact camera to anyone who sees it for the first time. Inside is a 16-megapixel sensor that’s physically larger than what’s normally found in smartphones, while the show is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and 1.5GB of RAM, along with 8GB of storage. The 4.3-inch screen doubles as the cameras viewfinder and the play area for the Android phone, but has an underwhelming 540 x 960 pixel resolution. We aren’t big fans of it, despite it being of the Super AMOLED variety. The usual connectivity options including Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA and USB OTG are all there as well. Oh, and there’s an IR transmitter as well that lets you use the device as a universal remote – one less gizmo to use around the house.

The honeymoon
The device (we’re swung between calling it a phone or a camera) runs Android 4.2.2 clothed with the usual Samsung TouchWiz skin, which is the hallmark of all their Galaxy products. It comes with most of the software bits we expect in a Galaxy, including S Voice, ChatON, S Memo and S Planner, and loads of other apps. The highlight, of course, is the Camera app that offers nested dials, similar to the Galaxy Camera, and a slew of modes, settings and filters for you to tweak your photographic masterpieces. As every photographer worth his salt would testify, you can’t make a decent snapper without a manual mode, and that’s there as well so you can play around with the more involved photographic settings like ISO, aperture and shutter speed manually.

The love and the tiffs
From the get-go, it’s clear that this marriage isn’t going to be too lovey-dovey. For starters, the device’s usability as a phone is hampered by its middling specs and low-resolution screen. The smartphone isn’t as zippy as we would like. Also, thanks to its chubby profile, it isn’t easy to just slip in and out of a jeans pocket, and results in an embarrassing bulge should you choose to carry it in your shirt pocket. As a camera, we have an issue with working its zoom, which is quite fiddly using the ring around the lens. Image quality isn’t any great shakes either, and is noticeably under par compared to other dedicated shooters. That said, it’s still better than most phone cameras, and the 10x optical zoom certainly comes in handy for capturing those distant shots. The battery life varies drastically depending upon how often you use the camera, but with typical usage, the 2,330 mAh pack can get you through a day.

The verdict
The S4 Zoom has significant pluses and minuses, but there’s no denying the fact that not only is it a unique hybrid that takes convergence to a new level, it’s also a bold effort by Samsung to create an innovative product that bucks the trend and stands out in the crowd. The device isn’t for everyone, and you may be better off getting a device that is first a zippy smartphone, then a capable snapper – such as Samsung’s own Galaxy S4 – but if you’re one of those who shoot before you talk, the S4 Zoom could be just what you’re looking for.